About: Eu Constitution
Brussels refutes claims that it will make UK sport teams wear EU flag
The EU this weekend scolded the British tabloid press for claiming it is demanding that its flag be flown at sporting events and displayed on team shirts.
EU stuck in a ‘representation spiral’?
As European integration has progressed in the Monnet method, national leaders have become stuck in a 'representation spiral', which the recent crises accelerated to a point where major EU decisions can no longer be made, argues Balázs Kiss.
The ‘Treaty of Lisbon’
After eight years of struggle and soul-searching, the European Union's reform treaty came into force on 1 December 2009. EU leaders believe the Lisbon Treaty will rejuvenate the decision-making apparatus of the EU institutions, making the functioning of the 27-member Union more efficient and democratic.
Sport and the EU treaties
So far, the EU's involvement in sport policy has revolved around its economic aspects but with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009, Europe now has a legal base to provide a supporting role to member states in the social, educational and cultural aspects of sport.
Interview: EU political dimension ‘painfully lacking’
Europe lacks a "grand design" and must move on from utilitarian concerns by becoming an "ideological project" if it is to have a significant impact at global level, argues prominent author and historian Elie Barnavi in an interview with EURACTIV.
Scholar: EU political dimension ‘painfully lacking’
Europe lacks a "grand design" and must move on from utilitarian concerns by becoming an "ideological project" if it is to have a significant impact at global level, argues prominent author and historian Elie Barnavi in an interview with EURACTIV.
Parliament resurrects controversial ‘EU symbols’
The so-called 'symbols of the Union', namely the EU flag, anthem and motto, were formally recognised by the European Parliament yesterday (8 October).
Juncker blames EU leaders for ‘speaking badly’ of Europe
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has accused EU leaders of tarnishing the EU image in their countries, blaming them for the negative results in EU referenda.
UK millionaire tries to defeat Lisbon Treaty in court
A British businessman is taking the UK government to court today over its refusal to hold a referendum on the EU Treaty. The move adds to the feeling of uncertainty about the EU's future, with the 'yes' and 'no' camps neck-and-neck ahead of the Irish referendum on 12 June.
Europe holds breath ahead of Friday 13th
As latest polls reveal the anti-Lisbon Treaty camp in Ireland have taken the lead, the superstitious date of Friday 13 June 2008, when the results of the referendum will be officially announced, could see Europe thrown into an existential crisis.Treaty of Lisbon: A sustainable answer to constitutional questions?
The Treaty of Lisbon represents "another milestone" towards further EU integration in a journey which started over 20 years ago with the Single European Act, write Andreas Hofmann and Wolfgang Wessels of the University of Cologne in an article for 'Integration' magazine.
EU opens up Treaty revision with launch of IGC
The EU is set to launch an Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels today (23 July) to revise its institutions and power-sharing system amid growing calls in the UK to submit the draft 'Reform Treaty' to a referendum.
Economic patriotism fuels populism and demagogy
Central and Eastern Europe has seen tremendous changes since the fall of the Berlin Wall, moving from state-sponsored socialism to market democracy and EU membership in less than 15 years. EURACTIV spoke with a leading academic about the legacy of enlargement, political and social realities in the new member states, and future challenges.
Giscard: Treaty changes made to avoid referenda
Valery Giscard d’Estaing, the 'father' of the EU Constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, said the draft ‘Reform Treaty’ agreed at the June Summit only represented ‘cosmetic changes’ compared to the preivous version - in remarks that will comfort critics who argue that the new Treaty brings the Constitution in 'by the back door'.EU moves from ‘disastrous’ Constitution experiment
EU member states have agreed on a blueprint for a new Treaty, rescuing a number of key institutional reforms but amending only the existing EU Framework. Hugo Brady, research fellow at the Centre for European Reform (CER), states that the Treaty is an admission that the enlarged Union has become much more diverse.
Parliament to give green light for IGC
The European Parliament is expected to give the go-ahead for the 'Reform Treaty' mandate, despite criticism concerning the large number of exemptions and footnotes in the draft text agreed by EU leaders at the June Summit.Referenda loom large over ‘repackaged Constitution’
The deal clinched at the EU Summit on a 'Reform Treaty' to replace the stalled Constitution could still face a backlash during the ratification procedure as a number of member states, including Ireland and Denmark, prepare for referenda. In Britain, incoming Prime Minister Gordon Brown is under pressure from the opposition to hold a national vote.EU Treaty deal meets praise and criticism
The deal clinched at the EU Summit on institutional reform was praised by most EU leaders, but also met with criticism from pro-Europeans, as well as Eurosceptics.
‘Tough negotiations’ dragging on at EU Treaty Summit
Following a number of bilateral talks and round table meetings, diplomats were hopeful to reach an agreement among EU leaders on a 'Reform Treaty' on 22 June. However, key elements remained uncertain as the Summit promises to bring another late night of discussion.
EU Treaty in the balance at Brussels Summit
EU leaders were scrambling to reach agreement over a draft mandate for institutional reform at a summit on 22 June. A Polish veto threat over voting rights in the Council and British 'red lines' on labour law, justice and other issues remained the main obstacles on the way to a deal.A way out of the EU’s Constitutional dilemma
Those member states who supported the original Constitutional Treaty (CT) should demand a radical revision of the current treaty amendment procedure in return for their readiness to compromise in the forthcoming intergovernmental conference (IGC), writes Janis A. Emmanouilidis of the Centre for Applied Policy Research (CAP) in a June 2007 paper.CEPS proposal on weighting votes in the Council
A double-majority system with a safety clause could overcome Poland's request for a square root voting system in the Council, claim Daniel Gros, Sebastian Kurpas and Mika Widgren in a June 2007 paper for the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).